The ladies are just beautiful!  Next time I'm in Kentucky, I'm coming to visit!!!

Iza Valentine

Photography by Sue Rosenbach

 

Iza Valentine

(Born on Valentines Day 1976 - Bickers ~ Countess Market), career earnings, $65,900.

Iza Valentine raced 25 times with 5 wins, 1 second place and 1 third place. She had 12 foals. Iza was voted the 1985 California Broodmare of the Year. She is the dam of Fran's Valentine and the grand dam of With Anticipation.

Iza Valentine arrived at Our Mims Retirement Haven in November of 2004. I remember trying very hard to win her affection but Iza would have nothing to do with me. Instead, Iza took a liking to my husband, Pete. In fact, in the evenings when it was time for the mares to come in for dinner, I often had to rely on Pete to catch Iza…"Go catch your girlfriend," I’d grumble as I stomped through the house in search of carrots. It wasn’t until I discovered Iza’s favorite treat, STUD MUFFINS, that I won her heart. "HA! I’ve got you now," I cooed as I fed one Muffin after another to the dark horse.

After that, we had a strong bond. "Oh, my Iza," I’d tell people, "I know I’m not suppose to have favorites but look at her. She is such a beauty." It’s hard to put into words the depth of a bond that can form between horse and human. You have to see it or experience it for yourself. But once you have witnessed the friendship, you’ll never forget what you have seen.

On August 13, 2007, Iza Valentine suffered a massive stroke. The vet thought she wouldn’t survive. The odds just weren’t in her favor. Poor dear Iza had suffered a mild stroke and bowed a tendon the year before, she was 31 years old. Worst of all, she had been down in the hot sun, maybe for hours before Pam found her. I begged the vet to try something and being the kind soul that he is, Dr. Burns obliged. As he went back to his truck for medication I leaned in close to Iza and said, "Iza, get up, he thinks you’re going to die!"

With that, Iza struggled to her feet. Pam and I quickly cooled the old girl off with hose water while the Doc administered medication. Then we three humans helped a very unsteady horse to her stall. Dear old Iza’s right side was weak. She leaned up against the stall wall for support. Her right ear flopped, her right eye nearly blind.

I stayed with Iza while Pam dashed to the horse clinic for more medication. I phoned Cheryl , and asked her to post a notice on the horse forums asking for prayers and donations. The needed meds were expensive and Iza’s only hope.

The prayers went up, the money came in and Iza grew stronger by the day. Ten days after her stroke, I asked the vet about her chances for survival. He cleared his throat while looking at her and said, "Based on what I see now, from where she was to how far she has come? There’s a race I’d like to enter her in ten days from now." Doc went on to call her a miracle horse.

Today at 31 years old, knocking on the door to 32, Iza Valentine is strong and you’d never know she was ever sick. She gallops across the pasture, kicking and bucking like a ten year old. She is clearly the reigning matriarch of the herd.

I can tell, I'm gonna just love this thread.  The story about the veil between this world and the next being thinner than we think just got to me.

 

Oh, Maggie! You aren't going to believe this thread! I can tell you now that you are going to be soooooo in love with these ladies. They have me wrapped and I live hundreds of miles away!

I have lots more of the ladies and their stories in the next weeks.

 

Jeanne,

Yes I did, I will send you a private email. 

Thank you for sending it.

Bless you for all you do

Deb

Thank you, you're a wonderful person for what you're doing. Can't wait for the next story! Glad some mares are getting a good life when others would just throw them away. Barbaro a horse I never touched I still cry daily over him. Working now to stop horse slaughter daily, calling, faxing and emailing senators and house Rep's.
Have you ever read Joe at TB Friends? Think you and he are a lot alike, heart's bigger than life. Hats off too you both. We need more like you! Keep the storys coming please.

 

LOL... what exactly are Stud Muffins... sorry if I am asking a dumb question, but are they horse cookies... ?

I am leaving for England next week to spend the  holidays with my family, but I hope that Jeanne will allow me to visit when I return.

Thanks

Deb